Re-Sealable Spray Foam

If you’ve used cans of spray foam, you know the frustration of the foam hardening before the can is finished. This episode of “Tool Hound” explores a new foam that can be resealed between uses. In many ways, this foam is like regular spray foam. However, with Hilti’s new product, the straw bends back to be put on the tab on the nozzle, preventing air from getting into the can and the straw, and the foam remains good to go. When you want to use the foam again, unfold the straw, blow out the discharge, and spray. It’s nice to finally have a can of spray foam that you don’t have to treat like a fine bottle of wine. You don’t need a special occasion to open it.

Article Comments

There's a cheaper alternative. But yourself a can on non-chlorinated brake cleaner (or carb cleaner)at the auto parts store. It comes with a tiny tube to attach to the spray nozzle. Just give the foam can and straw a couple of squirts with the brake cleaner and it will dissolve all the non-hardened foam and leave the can (and tube)ready for re-use later. Be sure to clean the area down in the nozzle of the foam can. And keep your protective eyeware on while doing this as the brake cleaner has a powerful spray. One $5 can of brake cleaner can wash a lot of foam straws.

When doing jobs that require the use of several cans of spray foam for one task I keep using the same tube while it's still flowing. By doing this I have amassed a collection of a couple dozen straws. Now I can just use a bit from a can and toss the straw then grab a new straw the next time I use the same can.